- Dish Network (NASDAQ:DISH +0.2%) has closed on a deal that sees it taking charge of DBS and over-the-top assets from sibling company EchoStar (SATS +1.3%).
- The two had come to a deal where EchoStar would transfer its EchoStar Technologies hardware/software group along with its national and regional uplink business, a managed fiber backhaul network and a development group working on over-the-top service in exchange for Dish's 80% economic interest in EchoStar's Hughes Retail Group.
- The move is seen as setting Dish Network up for some deal talks that could accelerate once a gag order is lifted from companies taking part in the FCC's months-long broadcast incentive spectrum auction.
- Dish chief Charlie Ergen sees a number of deals ahead for the sector.